It is hard to say when my story began. From the age of 16, I started having ‘problem’ periods. My GP put it all down to my age. I was put on the Pill and sent away. People told me that my periods would become lighter, regular and much easier on the Pill. Really? Not mine.
Over the years, I’d go back to my various GPs, as pain, heavy and irregular periods would rear their ugly heads.
At the age of 22 I was told that if I ever wanted children, I’d need help.
In 2003, at 37, things got much worse. I suddenly became very ill. My periods would last much longer than normal, sometimes one would just merge into the next. I was having a constant battle with anemia. As fast I was receiving iron from the tablets, it would just drain away again. The pain was becoming unbearable and outside of my cycle (but then again what was my cycle?) Even with the Pill my periods were all over the place. It was like my body had lost control of itself. I remember watching others around me, getting on with their lives, having a period each month didn’t seem to stop them in their tracks, they didn’t need to take time off sick, so why did I? Perhaps I was just a bit pathetic and couldn’t cope like others?
I was finally diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2004, at the age of 38, after eventually being referred to a gynecologist. A laparoscopy confirmed that I had small strips of Endo on the ligaments supporting my womb. Apparently there are a lot of nerves in there, which would explain the pain.
Six months later I had an Endometrial Ablation. Although it was possible to get pregnant after this, the lining of the womb had been burnt out and this would mean it would be dangerous for both mother and baby, so I was sterilized simultaneously. I had already made a decision not to have children, but I had never expected my body would take that decision out of my hands. It was devastating to think that my body could not do the most natural thing in the world. I count myself lucky that I had already made my decision. The op hasn’t cured it, nothing will. The symptoms have greatly improved, but not gone away. The pain remains, but not so bad and for 1-3 days. My cycle finally became regular, without the Pill, after my op. My body became so poorly I also developed ME. I now long for the menopause and hope this might be a relief.
By Julie Koretz, England
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